Jan 20, 2016, 10:53 pm
Last edit by: jtet
A number of threads have been started with members asking for guidance on which mileage programme they should join. In order to help users I have started this thread to allow people to post their requests for information here and to allow people to offer assistance.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
Need advice on which *A FF scheme to join? - please post here
Sep 13, 2011 | 8:58 am
#436
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Berkshire, UK
Posts: 444
Thanks.^
Will take another look and decide if I want to make the switch or carry on with UA and hope the coming changes aren't too painful.
Mark
Sep 14, 2011 | 2:41 am
#437
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD, LHR
Programs: UA GS/2M Miles, AA 1M Miles
Posts: 58
UA vs LH
Thank you for starting up this thread. I've been researching the benefits of M&M versus Mileage Plus but need some help. Below is the data that you requested:
(1) What is your home airport? ORD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C Class
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? >300k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? UA Global Services and LH Senator
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
- Long haul upgrades (business to first class)
- Award travel
- Lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Long haul international (rarely fly US domestic)
(7) UA and LH almost exclusively.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Work.
I'm currently accumulating points on both programs. There was a small glitch the programs that allowed me to get miles on both but they've closed that loop hole. I'm looking to consolidate onto one program. If I consolidated onto LH, I would probably be HON Circle. If I consolidate onto UA, I stay Global. My main priorities are upgrades to first, booking travel for the family, and lounge access.
(1) What is your home airport? ORD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C Class
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? >300k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? UA Global Services and LH Senator
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
- Long haul upgrades (business to first class)
- Award travel
- Lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Long haul international (rarely fly US domestic)
(7) UA and LH almost exclusively.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Work.
I'm currently accumulating points on both programs. There was a small glitch the programs that allowed me to get miles on both but they've closed that loop hole. I'm looking to consolidate onto one program. If I consolidated onto LH, I would probably be HON Circle. If I consolidate onto UA, I stay Global. My main priorities are upgrades to first, booking travel for the family, and lounge access.
Sep 14, 2011 | 3:57 am
#438
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,443
Award travel- definite advantage to UA. Compare award charts to see the difference.
Also don't forget US, they have no nonstop TATL flights ex ORD but they do fly PHL-FRA and their Envoy Suites are very competitive and probably the best business class transatlantic. Also they are better in terms of award redemptions (although they do not offer one way awards, their award charts are more generous and their routing rules more liberal).
Also don't forget US, they have no nonstop TATL flights ex ORD but they do fly PHL-FRA and their Envoy Suites are very competitive and probably the best business class transatlantic. Also they are better in terms of award redemptions (although they do not offer one way awards, their award charts are more generous and their routing rules more liberal).
Sep 14, 2011 | 4:13 am
#439
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD, LHR
Programs: UA GS/2M Miles, AA 1M Miles
Posts: 58
Yes, UA requires less miles per award ticket, but LH, once you get to FTL status, gives your more miles per flight. There was also some rumblings on other blogs about UA blocking *A partner TATL award tickets but I haven't seen anyone else post on it.
Sep 14, 2011 | 4:58 am
#440
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
Oh *net blocking is a big issue. It definetely did happen, whether it continues is up for debate...
Sep 14, 2011 | 5:20 pm
#441
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,443
If the rumoured Mileage Plus changes are true then it should swing the equation even more in UA's favour-especially when flying paid C, the class of service mileage bonuses increase dramatically, as well as upgrade priority.
Sep 15, 2011 | 6:00 am
#442
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD, LHR
Programs: UA GS/2M Miles, AA 1M Miles
Posts: 58
Mileage Plus versus Miles & More
So I did a bit more research and though it might be worth sharing my findings. I've been flying a bunch on LH and thought it might be worth switching to M&M as my primary loyalty program. For a frequent business traveler, the best program I think is Mileage Plus. Here's the comparison for the top status (UA = 1k, LH = SEN) which both require 100k status miles
Earning rate:
- LH: 225% of flight mileage for award and status miles
- UA: 225% of flight mileage for award, 150% for status miles
Redemption rate (round trip):
- LH: 30k dom eco, 55k dom bus; 50k TATL eco, 105 TATL bus
- UA (saver): 25k dom eco, 50k dom bus; 60k TATL eco, 100k TATL bus
Upgrades
- LH: 2 free segments for SEN, 6 free segments for HON, 50k per route thereafter
- UA: 6 free routes for 1K, 2 free routes for every 50k increment, 20k per route
In summary, you can get status on LH easier so if you're close, it may be the better program. However, if you're a road warrior and 1K or SEN are attainable, then both program earn at the same rate (unless you are buying first class tickets in which case LH earns at 325%). Redemption is nearly identical. However, upgrades are dramatically easier to get on UA than LH. If you like to upgrade to first, you'll burn a lot of miles on LH but UA will give them to you.
Earning rate:
- LH: 225% of flight mileage for award and status miles
- UA: 225% of flight mileage for award, 150% for status miles
Redemption rate (round trip):
- LH: 30k dom eco, 55k dom bus; 50k TATL eco, 105 TATL bus
- UA (saver): 25k dom eco, 50k dom bus; 60k TATL eco, 100k TATL bus
Upgrades
- LH: 2 free segments for SEN, 6 free segments for HON, 50k per route thereafter
- UA: 6 free routes for 1K, 2 free routes for every 50k increment, 20k per route
In summary, you can get status on LH easier so if you're close, it may be the better program. However, if you're a road warrior and 1K or SEN are attainable, then both program earn at the same rate (unless you are buying first class tickets in which case LH earns at 325%). Redemption is nearly identical. However, upgrades are dramatically easier to get on UA than LH. If you like to upgrade to first, you'll burn a lot of miles on LH but UA will give them to you.
Last edited by kwb007; Sep 15, 2011 at 6:14 am
Sep 19, 2011 | 12:51 am
#443
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Munich, Taipei
Programs: AB Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 179
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
Frankfurt, Taipei
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
25k-35k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
China Airlines Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
Upgrades with miles, * Alliance Gold
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Frankfurt-Taipei x2, New Zealand-Frankfurtx1 per year... Intra Asia+Intra Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines
Air China
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Pleasure, can choose my airline
Frankfurt, Taipei
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
25k-35k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
China Airlines Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
Upgrades with miles, * Alliance Gold
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Frankfurt-Taipei x2, New Zealand-Frankfurtx1 per year... Intra Asia+Intra Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines
Air China
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Pleasure, can choose my airline
Sep 19, 2011 | 1:59 am
#444
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
Frankfurt, Taipei
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
25k-35k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
China Airlines Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
Upgrades with miles, * Alliance Gold
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Frankfurt-Taipei x2, New Zealand-Frankfurtx1 per year... Intra Asia+Intra Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines
Air China
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Pleasure, can choose my airline
Frankfurt, Taipei
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
25k-35k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
China Airlines Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
Upgrades with miles, * Alliance Gold
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Frankfurt-Taipei x2, New Zealand-Frankfurtx1 per year... Intra Asia+Intra Europe
(7) Preferred Airlines
Air China
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Pleasure, can choose my airline
Unless you don't care about redemption and fly OZ, in which case OZ is for you!
If you fly TK (do they fly there?), then TK is for you (lounge in IST is amazing).
Sep 19, 2011 | 2:12 am
#445
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Munich, Taipei
Programs: AB Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 179
And what are the renewal qualifications for A3?
Can I use my miles to upgrade with A3? If I remember correctly I can do that OZ...
Sep 19, 2011 | 5:16 am
#446
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
The OZ redemption table is bad - they charge more miles than many other carriers, and they have a high YQ.
However, with OZ, you also have the chance for lifetime *G (which would be great for you).
If you fly OZ, I definetely suggest their mileage program.
Sep 19, 2011 | 9:50 pm
#447
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Munich, Taipei
Programs: AB Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 179
I'm not familiar with upgrades, so I don't know if A3/OZ/TK allow upgrades using miles. Please check that out... (and let me know please, it's useful knowledge).
The OZ redemption table is bad - they charge more miles than many other carriers, and they have a high YQ.
However, with OZ, you also have the chance for lifetime *G (which would be great for you).
If you fly OZ, I definetely suggest their mileage program.
The OZ redemption table is bad - they charge more miles than many other carriers, and they have a high YQ.
However, with OZ, you also have the chance for lifetime *G (which would be great for you).
If you fly OZ, I definetely suggest their mileage program.
A3 doesnt allow upgrades at all.
I actually want to try *G, but I'm afraid that they will discontinue *G lifetime, before I even make it
Last edited by mcmichi; Sep 19, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Sep 21, 2011 | 1:28 am
#448
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold Turkish Gold Aegean Gold
Posts: 10
OZ allows *A upgrades for 37.000 miles for a sector within 7000 miles. But they only allow it if your Y ticket is booking class Y or B, which are normally very expensive. I personally have never bought Y before.
A3 doesnt allow upgrades at all.
I actually want to try *G, but I'm afraid that they will discontinue *G lifetime, before I even make it
A3 doesnt allow upgrades at all.
I actually want to try *G, but I'm afraid that they will discontinue *G lifetime, before I even make it
Sep 21, 2011 | 2:39 am
#450
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: TG Aegean
Posts: 5
Want Gold ASAP
(1) What is your home airport?
BKK Thailand
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y - or other Economy Fares
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
30K-40K, varies, depends
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
THAI TG, Silver. i used to travel a lot, but didn't bother with FFP program...now regretted for many many over continental flights!!
at the same time, i am fed up with Thai Airway's FFP, earned the silver after one Asia-europe Round trip. They put a lot of discounted Eco fare to zero mileages and does not have airline partners other than SA. Thai Airway's fare is either very expensive or if they are slightly discounted, there is 0 mileage.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority Services (Check in / Stand by) and Free Lounge Access and Possible Upgrade
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
1-2 over continental travel, Asia-europe/US/africa, the rest are within Asia pacific
(7) Preferred Airlines
SQ, EK, qatar, ethiad, (but all these middle eastern airlines are not in SA!)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
primarily work - Yes, Can Choose Airlines
(9) What is the most important aspect of a scheme for you?
Lounge Access, extra luggage allowance
****
i want a Star Alliance Gold as soon as possible,
maybe 1 FFP from skyteam as well.
so someone told me Aegean Airline from Star Alliance is the easiest to obtain Gold, with 20000miles. if that's the case i guess i am going to ditch my Thai Silver. can someone confirm me this? and is there any issues that i need to foresee with Aegean?
i just finished a trip bkk-london-edi-london-bkk. damn Thai only gave me half of the miles.
i have 1 trip BKK-taipei-bkk, about 3000 miles
still deciding whether to fly KLM or Thai (more expensive)
1 trip bkk-capetown-bkk, over 12000 miles
still can't decide to fly SQ or qatar,
i thought if qatar then it's worth to get a UA millage plus since they are partner with qatar and millage do not expire?
can someone help me???
BKK Thailand
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y - or other Economy Fares
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
30K-40K, varies, depends
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
THAI TG, Silver. i used to travel a lot, but didn't bother with FFP program...now regretted for many many over continental flights!!
at the same time, i am fed up with Thai Airway's FFP, earned the silver after one Asia-europe Round trip. They put a lot of discounted Eco fare to zero mileages and does not have airline partners other than SA. Thai Airway's fare is either very expensive or if they are slightly discounted, there is 0 mileage.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority Services (Check in / Stand by) and Free Lounge Access and Possible Upgrade
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
1-2 over continental travel, Asia-europe/US/africa, the rest are within Asia pacific
(7) Preferred Airlines
SQ, EK, qatar, ethiad, (but all these middle eastern airlines are not in SA!)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
primarily work - Yes, Can Choose Airlines
(9) What is the most important aspect of a scheme for you?
Lounge Access, extra luggage allowance
****
i want a Star Alliance Gold as soon as possible,
maybe 1 FFP from skyteam as well.
so someone told me Aegean Airline from Star Alliance is the easiest to obtain Gold, with 20000miles. if that's the case i guess i am going to ditch my Thai Silver. can someone confirm me this? and is there any issues that i need to foresee with Aegean?
i just finished a trip bkk-london-edi-london-bkk. damn Thai only gave me half of the miles.
i have 1 trip BKK-taipei-bkk, about 3000 miles
still deciding whether to fly KLM or Thai (more expensive)
1 trip bkk-capetown-bkk, over 12000 miles
still can't decide to fly SQ or qatar,
i thought if qatar then it's worth to get a UA millage plus since they are partner with qatar and millage do not expire?
can someone help me???